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Fareportal to sell US Airways' 'ChoiceSeats'

The parent of online booking site CheapOair.com says it will be the first web-based booking site to sell US Airways' preferred economy seats. The seats – dubbed "ChoiceSeats" by US Airways – will be available

The parent of online booking site CheapOair.com says it will be the first Web-based booking site to sell US Airways' preferred economy seats.

The seats, dubbed "ChoiceSeats" by US Airways, are available on Fareportal websites as of Tuesday (April 23). The carrier had been offering the seats in beta testing until today's full rollout. Among the booking sites operated by Fareportal are CheapOair.com and CheapOair.ca.

"US Airways is pleased to offer ChoiceSeats through Fareportal," John Gustafson, US Airways' vice president of eCommerce, Mobile & Distribution, says in a statement to be released Tuesday. "Now that ChoiceSeats are available to customers who book on either of Fareportal's websites, more customers will be able to enjoy the many benefits of this product."

US Airways' ChoiceSeats are mostly window and aisle seats toward the front of coach cabin. Some exit rows may fall under the ChoiceSeats designations.

US Airways charges $5 to $99 for the seats, depending on the market and length of flight. When bought through Fareportal's sites, customers will pay "a minimal service charge," according to Mark Drusch, Fareportal's chief supply relations officer.

Aside from bulkhead and exit-row options, US Airways' ChoiceSeats offer no extra legroom. Instead, their appeal comes from their location toward the front of the cabin and from early boarding access that comes with a ChoiceSeats purchase.

As for Fareportal, Drush says it's an "exciting" development for the company to offer US Airways' ChoiceSeats via its booking sites.

He says the new option shows the company "has the resources to develop new programs to help support our (airline) partners."